Saint Mary's Church in Rockville MD
Don’t want to miss Sunday Mass on your visit to Rockville, MD?
Then head over to 520 Veirs Mill Rd, Rockville, MD 20852 to one of the oldest churches in the area.
St. Mary’s Church is a Georgian building that has gone through many changes over the years. One thing that remains the same is the parishioners’ unconditional love for God, and the disciplines believe in diversity, justice, and equality. The welcoming community welcomes each new convert, resident, and passerby with utmost love and compassion.
This makes visits to the old parish enlightening and rejuvenating to the individual’s soul and spirit.
Here’s everything you need to know about St. Mary’s Church in Rockville, MD:
A Glance at the Church’s History
In the spring of 1813, Father James Redmond arrived in the area with the hope of building a parish that covered Rockville and the surrounding areas. They chose this area because of its large community of Catholics. Also, the central location made it accessible to members from the surrounding area.
By 1817, they established a Georgian-style church with an adjacent cemetery for the local community. Father Redmond bought the church at only $400 and had to pay around $3000 to furnish and renovate the area properly. After completion, Father organized their first mass in St. Mary's Church on December 14, 1817.
Back then, the main building was 53-feet long 26-feet wide with the aisle. Then the church gradually witnesses upgrades in the infrastructure and décor. These include the stainless glass windows and the first station of the Cross. The makers printed the text on the Cross in four languages (i.e. English, German, Italian, and French). You can take it as a symbol of inclusivity and diversity that the church teaches parishioners to embody.
Apart from this, the cemetery is the burial ground of the famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his wife, Zelda. This location bears significance to thousands of fans who visit the gravesite to commemorate their favorite literary figure.
Beacon of Light
Many people don’t know if that the church is part of the United National Register of Historic Places (received in 1979). The year 2017, marked the 200th anniversary of the church. It was a victory for parishioners after discussions about demolition.
The church’s greatest achievement is that it grew from a community of handful of disciplines to a community of 5000 members. These people belong to all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicity. They use the church as a ‘spiritual oasis’ that renews their bond with the Lord.
What’s more?
Like many churches, you can attend Sunday school activities, Bible Study, and Sunday mass. It also serves as a venue for wedding ceremonies, baptism, and other communal events.
The clergymen also organize lectures and lessons for online participants. If you want to get in touch via telephone or email for virtual consultations and spiritually healing. This practice was highly useful during the pandemic with little or no activity within the church.
In a Nutshell
The history of St. Mary’s Church proves that where the saying ‘where there is a will there is a way’. Without Father Redmond’s initial efforts, we wouldn’t have the church or the reason to carry on forward. We thank everyone who helped us along the way and reaffirmed our faith in Christianity as well as humanity.
Watch this space for more information from StarBrite Dental on Rockville MD, like VisArts.
